AZG Armenian Daily #024, 08/02/2008

Karabakh issue

20TH ANNIVERSARY OF ARTSAKH MOVEMENT

Yesterday the three traditional Armenian parties –
Armenian Revolutionary Federation (Dashnaktsutyun),
Democratic Liberal Party (Ramkavar Azatakan) and
Social Democrat Hnchak Party on the occasion of the
20th anniversary of Artsakh Self-determination
Movement issued a joint statement. Here follows the
full text of the announcement:

"The Artsakh Self-determination Movement began on
February 20, 1988, and Azerbaijan responded with
massacres in Sumgait, Baku and Kirovabad to peaceful
demonstrations. The rightful fight, at the expense of
sacrifices by thousands of Armenians, resulted in a
victory and today’s Nagorno Karabakh Republic. But
Azerbaijan continues its anti-Armenian crimes and
policies.The Bureau of the Armenian Revolutionary
Federation, the Central Board of the Ramkavar Azatakan
Party, and the Central Board of the Social Democrat
Hnchak Party have resolved to mark the 20th
anniversary of the Artsakh Movement jointly in the
Homeland and in the Diaspora, and to jointly protest
against the anti-Armenian crimes and policies, and to
jointly raise the issue of the rights of Armenians
before Turkey.

Twenty years after the commencement of the Artsakh
Movement, we now face new challenges. The legal
recognition of the factual liberation of Artsakh, the
protection of Artsakh’s current borders, the
resettlement of the liberated territories are the
priorities that all the Armenian should unite for. A
secure and strong Artsakh is essential for Armenia’s
existence.

Another example of a pan-Armenian cooperation is the
issue of international recognition of the Armenian
Genocide perpetrated by Turkey. There are serious
achievements today thanks to the joint efforts.We are
calling on all Armenians:

To announce 2008 the year of the 20th anniversary of
the Artsakh Movement and jointly celebrate it;

Join efforts for an international recognition of the
Armenian Genocide until the Republic of Turkey
recognizes it and assumes full reparation;

Announce February 28 a day symbolizing the massacres
of Sumgait and Baku and inform the international
community and world countries of all criminal policies
carried out by current and former governments of
Azerbaijan; andDo whatever possible to support the
development and strengthening of the Armenia-Artsakh
government".

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress